I recently did a bunch of flights in USA on AA F, and while the food onboard is not spectacular, the service reminded me of all the little things that QF domestic J used to do: before take-off drink (and this can be anything from the bar, not just water or juice), hot towel, pre-meal drinks with warmed nuts (not just a packet of pretzels and cashew (yes, that's singular)), full tray meal (decent size and not shrinking like QF) and drinks. Sure, it's not QF International First meals, but I found them fine to eat.
LAX Flagship had some food out when I was there. Self-service drinks as others have mentioned.
The Flagship in ORD is a bit hard to find (doesn't open until after 7am I think I remember), and it's a bit of a walk down to the end of K Concourse. No showers in ORD Flagship: have to go back to AC.
DFW: the people mover train is easy to get between terminals. If you've got time, you can go for a lounge hop around each terminal. Definitely try out the showers in (I'm pretty sure it was C terminal AC... might've been A). It has a small gym with treadmill, bike equipment, if you want to do some exercise, and the showers are full on rainfall showers with side vents etc. It made me guilty thinking about all the water I was wasting, but I don't think they have too many water issues over there...?
Thumbs up for leaving a tip for bar staff. Thumbs up for leaving unused drink chits with locals... as I left, I'd offer them to people waiting to enter.
My suggestion is also to have some chocolates or a small gift to give to the Lounge staff... they'll love your Aussie accent, and nothing will be too much trouble if you have any problems if you endear yourself to them. I was well looked after once I gave them each an Aussie-themed key-ring, which I'd brought from home.
Say Hi to Shelley behind the bar in the US Airways Lounge at BOS if you happen to be there. I flew out on US, so not sure if AA flights are same terminal...?
All (most?) Lounges in States are silent: no announcements. Always leave 5 or 10 minutes before boarding time and be at the gate for start of boarding, especially if you have carry-on luggage you want near you, even if in F. Locker space is always at a premium. Also watch out for gate changes, especially in DFW. Ask the Lounge Angels when you arrive and also when you depart, and sometimes even watch the screen once you are walking on your way. I've had a last-minute change before. Better still, use a service like TripCase or Tripit which will message you for changes to boarding gates/times, often before they even show up on departure screens.